This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Iridium’s launch, crash, and nearly burn (literally) The Iridium communications service was initiated on November 1, 1998, with a call by then-Vice President Al Gore. […]
FAQ
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 2: The implementation
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. The first part of the article explained the inspiration and rationale for the Iridium system. Three major elements were required to make the Iridium concept […]
Iridium global satcom system: Brilliant design, terrible business, last-minute reprieve, Part 1
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Business failures of companies with grand schemes and grandiose plans are part of the realities of technology-driven visionaries. Sometimes, however, the project is so large […]
What is the HART protocol?
Data communication over analog signals is a common process. In automation, the data is communicated to and from controllers with several different process instruments. Quality is important as the controllers and smart instruments must communicate over long distances. Additionally, the data communication between a device and a controller must be dictated by a protocol (i.e. […]
Quantum compasses and optical imaging for global positioning and navigation
There is an emerging demand for a replacement for today’s global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and especially for the global position system (GPS) in the U.S. Part one of this three-part FAQ series presented several of the shortcomings of today’s GPS technology and some efforts to augment it and improve its performance. Part two presented […]
Teardown: Cisco Explorer 8642HDC high-definition DVR with multi-stream cableCARD interface
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many people to spend more time in front of a TV set. Here’s a look at what’s inside the cable box responsible for a large portion of home entertainment. Examine the hook-up for many cable TV customers and you’ll likely find something like the Cisco Explorer 8642HDC DVR. This set-top […]
eLORAN a terrestrial alternative to GPS
Terrestrial-based hyperbolic navigation technologies predate today’s satellite-based global positioning system (GPS). Starting with developments in the 1930s and 1940s, land-based long-range navigation (LORAN) systems using hyperbolic navigation have been continuously advanced. Today, the enhanced LORAN (eLORAN) system has been offered a more secure alternative to GPS. Hyperbolic navigation technologies were independently developed in the U.S. […]
GPS is a ubiquitous and problematic technology
Much of the world depends upon satellite systems for precise navigation and timing services. The global positioning system (GPS) is a ubiquitous and problematic technology. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is the umbrella term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. GNSS includes GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and other regional […]
Functional safety for embedded systems – Virtual Roundtable (part 2 of 2)
Hosted by Jeff Shepard, EE World has organized this “virtual roundtable” into “Functional Safety for Embedded Systems.” Panelists include Anders Holmberg (AH), General Manager Embedded Development Tools with IAR Systems, Mike Dow (MD), Senior Product Manager, IoT Security with Silicon Labs, Jim McElroy (JM), VP of sales and marketing at LDRA Technology, Dave Hughes (DH), […]
Security for embedded systems – Virtual Roundtable (part 1 of 2)
Hosted by Jeff Shepard, EE World has organized this “virtual roundtable” into “Security for Embedded Systems” Panelists include Haydn Povey (HP), General Manager Embedded Security Solutions with IAR Systems, Mike Dow (MD), Senior Product Manager, IoT Security with Silicon Labs, Jim McElroy (JM), VP of sales and marketing at LDRA Technology, and Dave Hughes (DH), […]
